Biggs' lawyers launch freedom bid

Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs' lawyers are today launching a High Court legal bid to win the 75-year-old's release on compassionate grounds.

Solicitors will ask for a judicial review of Biggs' detention at high security Belmarsh prison in south-east London.

The robber marked his 75th birthday yesterday, which was also the 41st anniversary of the notorious heist.

Biggs has suffered two strokes and his solicitors said he has facial paralysis which has left him unable to speak or eat.

They added that he has to be fed liquids through a tube powered by an electric pump, and communicates by pointing to letters on a piece of paper to spell words.

Solicitor Kristen Bender said: "We are most concerned that the high-security conditions to which Mr Biggs is currently subjected do not comply with the law and are unnecessary given his inability to speak, eat or walk any distance.

"The Prison Service is retaliating against a sick, elderly man for an escape nearly 40 years ago, rather than punishing him appropriately and legally for the crime he committed."

Escaped jail in furniture van

Biggs was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment for his part in the raid on the Glasgow to London mail train on August 8, 1963, when the 15-strong gang made off with £2.6 million in used bank notes.

He fled Britain after escaping from Wandsworth Prison in a furniture van after just 15 months in jail.

After using plastic surgery to change his appearance he fled to Spain, Australia, and then Brazil.

The criminal spent 36 years on the run but surrendered himself back into custody in 2001.

He has now served three years at HMP Belmarsh, where he has 24-hour nursing care.

His solicitors have made a series of attempts to transfer him to a lower security prison or released on compassionate grounds.

Ms Bender, of Manchester-based Tranters solicitors, is challenging the Prison Service's refusal to transfer or release him as a violation of Prison Service orders and the Human Rights Act.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "Belmarsh is a centre of medical excellence where we can provide 24-hour care. At a lower category prison there would not be this specialist round-the-clock care."